Beeley into British team

Aberdeen University’s Tom Beeley has been included in the British swimming team to take part in the European junior championships in Israel. A team of 37 athletes will compete at the LEN European junior event in Netanya from June 28 to July 2.

In terms of importance this could well be the biggest derby ever. The two teams have never been in the same division when one has been relegated but if Ross County win Inverness are done for.

An Inverness win certainly drags County back into the play-off struggle, so it could have a historical impact.

It won’t be quite the same as Dundee relegating Dundee United at Dens Park last season.

It won’t make it mathematically impossible for them to stay up but it will certainly be one of the last nails in Caley Thistle’s coffin.

Bragging rights are at stake. In this part of the country, every County supporter knows a Caley Thistle supporter and vice versa. I can’t disguise there would be a bit of gloating if Inverness went down and especially after County are to beat them three times this season.

But I’d rather they stayed up with us.

It’s good for the Highlands that both teams are in the Premiership.

Supporters of central belt teams would be happy to see the back of either one of us because of the distances involved.

I would rather have a derby rival to play against every season than a central belt team.

Every team is in this for themselves, though, and it will be nervous. There’s a lot to play for.

If there isn’t a goal in the first quarter of the match, it could be a very tense affair. There might only be one goal in it.

There’s usually singing at a derby no matter which ground, but it might not be as vocal as normal.

I’ll certainly be thinking about the permutations and I’m sure plenty of my fellow supporters will, too.